What can we do to help?

I am sure you have all heard about the devastation in Haiti.  A 7.0 magnitude earthquake shocked Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas on Tuesday just before 5 pm collapsing buildings and cutting water and electricity services.  At least 3 million people have been affected.

I have seen emails going back and forth between our members wondering if there is something the landscape architecture community can do.  I was wondering the same thing.  I have been personally involved with an organization called charity:water which is supported by corporate sponsors and uses 100% of all public donations to build wells in underdeveloped countries.

charity:water is not a disaster relief organization but they are asking that donations be made directly to their implementing partners on the ground.  I have full confidence in charity:water and they have full confidence in these groups so I am passing this information along to anyone who might be interested.  If you would like to learn more you can click on the following links:

Concern Worldwide
Partners in Health

I wanted to pass along this information due to the magnitude of the crisis in Haiti and the need for immediate help. 

HOW CAN WE HELP THE LOCAL COMMUNITY?

I wanted to open a discussion of ideas on how we might help our local community while, at the same time, increase awareness of our profession and what we do.  One idea could be a "McCarran March" where we walk the McCarran loop to raise awareness and funds for a particular local cause.  I believe this could be done on sidewalks and pathways most of the way.  It is a long distance and could be broken into seperate legs, as opposed to a person trying to walk the whole thing.  During the walk we could ask that donations be made at certain locations such as grocery stores or banks.

Such an event could draw a lot of publicity and benefit both the chosen charity and our profession as far as increased publicity goes.

So what are your thoughts?  Any other ideas?  Simply click on the title at the top of this post if you want to leave a comment.